Laughlin info please
 

DH and I are planning a trip next year and want to stay a couple nights in Laughlin on our way to the South Rim from Vegas

ISO a CLEAN and well maintained hotel. The only one that seems to have consistent reviews on the usual review sites (especially with the recent overhaul by the new owners, Landrys foods) is the Golden Nugget.

Anyone who has stayed recently, can you give me some suggestions on the best hotel to stay?

In case you don't have any other input...

I haven't stayed at the Golden Nugget for a while so I don't feel comfortable about commenting, but it gets 3 diamonds from AAA and the latest guide says that "they imported more than 500 tropical plants to this riverside hotel to give its 30-foot glass topped atrium a rain forest feel." It is a hotel with over 300 units.

I haven't stayed here, but AAA also gives 3 diamonds to Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort and Hotel. "On the Colorado River, the property offers wide vistas as well as a wide selection of activities."

It has 1404 units and a casino. Wow. In Laughlin?

Rates listed are Golden Nugget $30-$300, Don Lauglin $42-$699

Hi there,

Thanks for responding - I appreciate it. I ruled out Don Laughlins resort cause it has a plethora of bad reviews on more than one site. One or two fanatics I discount but it seems more the rule than the exception - basically not clean and really run down with surly staff.

Now Harrahs has some good reviews with a couple bad mixed in but all comment on the excellent staff/customer service.

GN looked good with nary a bad review to be found (too good to be true?)

Anyway, hopefully I will get some fodorites to report on their most recent stays.

DH and I are looking forward to the change of pace. We are heading to El Tovar the next couple of days and then back to LV for a strip hotel stay.

Thanks again for responding!

I haven't stayed there, but have heard good things about the GN. Also the Edgewater. I have a friend that stayed at the Riverside that said it was okay though it depends on what rooms you get (river views were better).

Don't go during the summer. It will be hotter than the sun!

Thanks trippinkpj I'll research the Edgewater. Had a friend here recommend Harrahs - said it was ok.

Bisbee - no worries - Early April 2008 -

Hopefully some more opinions will come through.

Avoid the Riverside, the Colorado Belle, and the Edgewater.

I don't know about the Golden Nugget's rooms, but their casino feels claustrophobic to me.

Trip Advisor reports of the Aquarius (formerly Flamingo) don't look too good. It's owned by Carl Icahn now and he's not known for putting much money into his places. I'd avoid it.

Harrahs suites are okay, but their regular rooms leave a lot to be desired, though they are clean. Harrah's has the best food IMHO, and they have a section of the casino for non-smokers.

The Ramada Express is remodeling all of their rooms. They cost a bit more then the ones that have not been made over yet, but they look beautiful. We usually get the best service from their employees and will be staying there when we return to Laughlin.

My MIL stayed at the Aquarius 6 months ago. She said it had really gone downhill since it was the Flamingo.

Thanks folks - keep those comments coming. I just hopped on to trip advisor and noticed some new favourable reviews on the Ramada.

So we are now considering Harrahs (for non smoking) and Ramada for newness of rooms.

Any additional thoughts or comments?

Thanks!

Forget Laughlin, just go to Vegas and make the drive, if you do go to Laughlin, the river walk is nice.

The pool areas (2 pools) at Riverside are very small and one is in shade most of the day. Casino is in need of an update. BIL stayed at Golden Nugget in Feb 07 and was very happy with rooms and service. Casino area is a smaller but if you are there during the week it thins out by 9:00 PM.

Can I ask WHY you want to stop in Laughlin? It's just a very small ghetto trashy version of Vegas.

Smartcookie,

We are Vegas alumni - I first visited in the early eighties when it was still the "old vegas" before the corporations got a chokehold and ruined it.

We married there and have been several times. Thought this trip we'd venture out of the hub (other than the HD)

Laughlin looked like a nice little stop on the way to the canyon. Thought we'd check it out. We know it's not the glitz/glam of Vegas and we're expecting a very hokey "old folks" experience. We're looking forward to time by the river, some cheap gambling and a couple nights in a different spot.

We are not pretentious or finicky folks and are fairly easy to entertain. But we do hold a standard for cleanliness and safety.